Chapter 608
Chapter 608
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 608
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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Jik Seong-mi pressed us with ten elite martial artists in tow.
I didn't bother with any nonsense and just guided them by looking at the talisman.
"That talisman. Where'd you get it from?"
"Do I have to tell you?"
"If you do, it'll build at least a little trust in you all."
"So I don't have to, then."
"……."
We reached the destination without much trouble. It wasn't far to begin with.
"The talisman points right here."
"There's nothing here. Did you trick us?"
"It's hidden by a barrier, so we can't see the entrance. We'll have to dig into the ground to get inside."
"That's why you told us to bring shovels beforehand. You lot, start digging."
"……Yes, miss."
The martial artists replied with reluctant expressions. It made sense—they were renowned experts no matter which sect they belonged to.
'They must hate doing menial labor like digging.'
But unable to defy Jik Seong-mi's orders, the martial artists silently began to dig. As expected of true warriors, their digging skills were no joke.
"Miss! There's a secret passage underneath!"
"……It was real."
Jik Seong-mi's demeanor softened. It seemed she'd gained a sliver of trust in us.
"Jik Sojeo. Just so you know, this isn't your average spot. The Na-gang Sect leader probably set up formations. Stay sharp."
"I know that much. The Na-gang Sect leader would've wanted his heir to claim his magic treasures. Even if that heir doesn't exist."
We entered. The martial artists took the lead, Seong Ji-gon and I in the middle, and Jik Seong-mi at the rear.
"Trap ahead. We'll dismantle it."
One of the martial artists was an expert in mechanism formations, making our path smooth. If it had just been Seong Ji-gon and me, we'd have struggled big time.
What halted our advance were yokai.
They were in human form. Over 2 meters tall, bodies bulging with rugged muscles. Chains wrapped around their necks, and strange characters etched on their chests and waists.
With red horns protruding from their foreheads, they glared at us.
"Red Horned Ghosts, huh."
Jik Seong-mi said it casually.
"Red Horned Ghosts get stronger the bigger and more horns they have. These all have just one horn. Nothing special. Take them out."
"Yes, miss!"
The martial artists moved in perfect unison, charging at the seven Red Horned Ghosts.
'Red Horned Ghosts are nothing special...? As if. They're born at the Uplifted Realm and naturally reach the Emergent Intellect stage as adults. No way they're pushovers.'
And these ones were special. They'd been trapped here for ages. No ordinary Red Horned Ghosts.
"Gahhh! Miss! These are jiangshi!"
"What, jiangshi?!"
"Stronger than living ones! Damn it!"
"Na-gang Sect's secret arts turned them into jiangshi. No way to control them...! Guess I have to step in too...!"
I grabbed Jik Seong-mi's shoulder as she drew her sword from her waist and prepared to charge.
"...What is this?"
"No betrayal here, so ease up on the killing intent. I just spotted the passage over there. That's definitely the way in. And naturally, the Na-gang Sect's secrets will be inside."
"Can't you see the situation? Deal with these Red Horned Jiangshi and move on!"
"Look closely at that passage. It's closing bit by bit."
"Miss! We're fine! It'll just take a little longer, no problem handling them. We'll finish these off here and wait—go ahead inside!"
"Got it!"
Jik Seong-mi answered and dashed into the passage. Seong Ji-gon and I followed. The others didn't object.
Because Jik Seong-mi was stronger than both of us. Her realm was Emergent Intellect stage 7. Called "miss" and looking young, but probably much older.
We were inside the passage now.
A wide clearing held the Na-gang Sect leader's corpse, shriveled like a mummy.
In the corpse's hand was a pair of black glasses. They looked like sunglasses, but their effect was worlds apart from blocking light.
Thousand-Li Mirror.
Wearing it let you see anywhere within a thousand li.
Perfect for spying on people.
Thud!
The sound of the rear passage sealing echoed. But no one here looked back.
"Finally! Found the Na-gang Sect's treasure!"
Jik Seong-mi rejoiced.
I was more focused on the items beside the corpse. To the right, a wooden box with spirit pills. To the left, the Na-gang Sect's spellbooks and martial arts manuals.
Jik Seong-mi strode toward the corpse.
I signaled Seong Ji-gon. He drew his sword and lunged at her. She spun swiftly, blocking his attack. I already knew it wouldn't land. If I'd meant to kill her, I'd have ambushed myself, not him.
'The opening he creates is my target! Moment!'
Faster than Jik Seong-mi, I dashed forward and snatched the Na-gang Sect leader's treasure—the Thousand-Li Mirror.
"No!"
Jik Seong-mi kicked Seong Ji-gon flying.
"Guh?!"
He crashed into the wall and passed out instantly.
"Hand over the treasure!"
She rushed me, sword aimed. Fast, for sure. A fair fight, and I'd lose.
But her sword never touched me. Because I gripped the Thousand-Li Mirror hard, about to shatter it.
"D-don't do something crazy. Know how valuable that is?"
"Thousand-Li Mirror. Perfect for spying."
"Our deal's still on. You want my snow ginseng, right? I'll throw in all these spirit medicines too. Just give me the treasure."
"Heh. Spirit meds aren't enough."
"If we get out safe, I can give more."
"Not what I mean. I want Jik Sojeo's purity."
"What?!"
"You haven't married yet, so you're still pure, right? Am I wrong?"
"You're insane. I could kill you right here."
"I'm a martial artist at the Emergent Intellect realm myself. And born with thunder spirit."
Crackle.
Lightning flickered in my left hand.
"I might not beat you, but I can smash this treasure. Doesn't look that durable anyway."
"Ngh... I can give you martial arts too."
"I'm satisfied with what I have. I'll count to ten. Drop your sword and strip right there. Or I smash the Thousand-Li Mirror. One."
"……."
"Two. Three. Four. Five. Is your purity that important? From what I know, you want the Thousand-Li Mirror to inherit Jik Merchant Guild."
"Purity I've guarded for decades. You think I'd give it to scum like you?! Rather than...!"
"Rather than?"
"……."
She glared, body trembling. Her killing intent gave me goosebumps.
"Six. Seven."
Clang!
Her sword hit the ground. Then, with a fearsome glare, she began undressing.
Thud.
Even her undergarments fell, leaving her completely nude.
Her snow-white skin was baby-soft, C-cup breasts generously sized. Pink nipples perched cutely. A smooth abdomen with a neat patch of hair.
"Heh. Knew you'd choose this, Jik Sojeo. Purity can't compare to power."
"Ease up on the grip. Crack it even a little, and you won't die easy."
I dropped my pants. My erect cock asserted itself. Jik Seong-mi flinched at the sight.
"Lie on your clothes and spread your legs. Oh, the Thousand-Li Mirror after we're done. Heh."
"You'll regret this."
"Can you afford to say that? It's in my hand."
"……."
I knew without her saying. Once she had the mirror, she'd torture and kill us. But did I not plan for that?
"Heh heh heh."
I approached her with the Thousand-Li Mirror in hand. She gnashed her teeth. Planning to snatch it up close, but I kept it firmly in my right hand.
With my left, I spread her legs into an M. Her pussy was in clear view—neat hair, pretty pink labia.
I pinched one labia with my thumb and pulled it aside. First time a man's touched her? It twitched. Feeling the softness, I rubbed my finger along it.
"...Hurry and finish. My guards will be here soon."
"Ah, yeah. Trouble if word gets out you were raped. I want your purity ASAP too. So wet your pussy quick. You get what I mean, right? Never masturbated?"
"Damn pervert...!"
"Love that look. Turns me on."
I rubbed my cock against her pussy. With Sensitivity Boost, in under a minute, it was slick and sticky.
Squelch, squelch.
At the lewd sounds, her face flushed. Yet her eyes stayed fixed—on the hand holding the mirror, precisely.
"Here it goes."
"Ahh! Aaaahhh!"
I thrust in to the hilt. Rising above her, I traced her alluring curves.
Her hymen tore, blood trickling down.
"Ooh... Amazing. Jik Sojeo. Better than any recent woman."
I covered her upper body. Felt the contrast of soft breasts and hard nipples. But her face hooked me most—furrowed brows, parted lips heaving roughly.
Slowly pistoning, I kissed her mouth. Surprisingly, no resistance; she accepted submissively. My tongue roamed her mouth, left hand wiping sweat from her face.
Squelch, squelch.
Climax built. No reason to hold back. I started cumming inside.
"Hahk, aaang!"
Her hips bucked. I kissed her neck, savoring the release.
Then, her hand moved. Aiming for my right hand's mirror.
'Moment!'
I yanked my hand back.
"Ah..."
Regret sighed from her lips. Her compliance till now was for this moment.
"No chance. Heh."
"...Sex is done. Move. Give me the Thousand-Li Mirror!"
"Just starting. Can't you feel my cock's still hard inside?"
Slam!
Hard thrust made her body jolt.
"Now, let's enjoy."
"Eek! Ah, aaaah!"
With my left hand, I flipped her onto her stomach. Plump ass and smooth white back fueled my arousal. Grabbing her braided hair, I pounded roughly.
Slam! Thwack! Smack!
"Ahh, hair... let go of my hair...! Haaak!"
"You braided it so pretty. Hate to let go."
Pulled harder. Her head arched back, exposing her graceful neckline. Her pussy clenched tight. I thrust even fiercer.
"Second load coming!"
"Haak, haaaaang!"
Love juices streamed from her pussy.
"Now for scissors po—"
Thud!
A wall-smashing sound from the passage. I clicked my tongue and rose.
"Guards are here!"
Jik Seong-mi scrambled for her clothes, shouting. But the ones pounding the passage wall weren't her guards.
"I know everything inside. Be seeing you soon—wait up! Hahaha!"
Shin Gong-se's voice.
'As expected, the A-hyeon Divine Family was tailing me.'
If it hadn't been them, I'd be surprised. I pulled a box from my inventory, dumped in the spellbooks, manuals, and spirit meds, then stored it back.
"A space box?! How does scum like you have such a rare treasure...!"
"No need to explain. Use this."
I gave her a teleport scroll, then forced the fainted Seong Ji-gon's hand to tear it. He vanished in light.
"Wh-what...!"
Ignoring her shock, I took my own scroll.
"Die here if you want. With Shin Gong-se's temper, it'll be a rough death though."
Riiip.
I tore the teleport scroll.